3,000 New Jobs To Be Created By New Volkswagen Plant in Canada

Last Updated On 22 April 2023, 11:49 AM EDT (Toronto Time)

The new Volkswagen plant announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford on April 21, 2023 will create up to 3,000 direct jobs and up to 30,000 indirect jobs.

According to Frank Blome, CEO of PowerCo, a Volkswagen company that manufactures batteries for electric cars, the factory will be VW’s largest in North America and has the potential to be the largest VW plant in the world.

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, made a historic investment in Ontario and Canada last month. Volkswagen is investing $7 billion in St. Thomas, Ontario, to build its first overseas electric car battery production factory.

St. Thomas is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario just 30 minutes drive south-east to London and less than 2-hour drive from Toronto Pearson Airport.

Volkswagen’s new EV battery production complex will span around 370 acres, or 378 American football fields. The overall size of the industrial and supplier park will be 1,500 acres.

This is the greatest investment in electric vehicles in Canadian history, indicating a significant vote of confidence in Ontario and Canada’s highly qualified employees, robust economies, and competitive business environments.

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Ontario have the resources and skilled workers to continue leading the world in everything from mining essential minerals to making batteries and electric automobiles.

This means the province has a thriving economy, well-paying jobs, and clean air for the foreseeable future.

While making the announcement, prime minister Justin Trudeau said, “When we talk about our made-in-Canada plan, we’re talking about creating good, middle-class jobs now and into the future, we’re talking about clean air for our kids and grandkids, and we’re talking about a strong economy that works for all Canadians.”

“That’s what Volkswagen’s new electric vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas – the largest manufacturing plant in the country once built – is all about. It’s a win for workers, for the community, and for the economy.” he further added.

Frank Blome CEO of PowerCo SE (Volkswagen) said he is honoured to partner with Canada and taking the EV industry to a new level.

He further said that this includes the creation of up to 3,000 new jobs and great working conditions for the workers in the St. Thomas area.

Once completed in 2027, the factory would create batteries for up to one million electric vehicles per year, increasing Canada’s domestic battery production capability to fulfil current and future demand for electric vehicles.

The complex, which will be worth over $200 billion, will be Canada’s largest industrial facility. Construction is set to start next year.

Where is St. Thomas Ontario?

St. Thomas is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario, around 30 minutes drive south-east of London city and less than 2 hours of drive from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

How big will be new Volkswagen battery plant in Canada?

Volkswagen’s new EV battery manufacturing plant will cover around 370 acres, or 378 American football fields. The industrial and supplier park will include 1,500 acres in total.

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Transportation accounts for almost a quarter of Canadian emissions. That is why the Government of Canada has set an ambitious goal of selling 100 percent zero-emission vehicles by 2035, along with a slew of assistance measures ranging from charging infrastructure to purchasing incentives.